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The Wabash College Chemistry Department believes in a challenging curriculum which thoroughly investigates all areas of modern chemistry and in a significant hands-on laboratory experience in which students become progressively more independent as they proceed through the curriculum. We believe that such an education will prepare chemistry majors for a variety of career outcomes, including those in research, medicine, teaching, and industry. In recent years, three-fourths of our majors have gone directly to graduate school in chemistry/ biochemistry or to medical school following graduation. Others have chosen to take jobs as chemists or attend other professional schools (business, law, and physical therapy). We strive to provide chemistry minors and pre-medical students with the knowledge base they need to succeed in their chosen fields. We seek to involve all Wabash students in the study of chemistry through non-majors courses‚ CHE 101 and 102. We attempt to teach all chemistry students about the relationship between chemistry and the world around them.

Requirements for the Chemistry Major: A chemistry major requires completion of the following core courses (eight credits): 111, 211, 221, 321, 331, 351, 361, and 441. Students may complete the nine-course requirement by selecting among the following electives: 421, 431, 451, 452, 461, 462, 471, 487, 488. CHE 421, 452, 461 and 471 may be repeated when the topics change. No more than one-half course credit of independent study (Chemistry 487 or 488) may be used to construct the minimum nine-course major. CHE 101 and 102 do not count toward the major.

The following courses are also required for chemistry majors‚ MAT 110 or 111 and 112, PHY 111 and PHY 112. The mathematics courses are best taken in the freshman year, and the physics sequence should be taken in the sophomore year, because physical chemistry (taken by all junior chemistry majors) has a two-course physics prerequisite. A student who places into MAT 010 should complete the MAT 010/110 sequence in the freshman year, then begin CHE 111 in the sophomore year. Alternatively, students who place in MAT 010 can take MAT 010 and CHE 101 concurrently, then proceed to MAT 110 and CHE 171 (a half semester course, which complements CHE 101 to allow students to proceed to CHE 221 ther next fall.

Requirements for the Biochemistry Major: a biochemistry major requires the completion of the following core courses (seven credits): 111, 211, 221, 321, 351, 361, 461, and 462. Students complete the nine-course requirement by choosing one from CHE 331 or 441 and selecting one of the following courses from the Biology Department: BIO 225, 311, 314, and approved 37X courses (this course may not be counted a Biology minor).

The following courses are also required for the biochemistry majors. MAT 110 or 111, PHY 111 and 112, and BIO 111, 112, 211, 212. The mathematics courses are best taken in the freshman year, and the physics sequence is best in t he sophomore year, because physical chemistry has a two-course physics prerequisite. A student who places into Mathematics 010 should complete Mathematics 010/110 and BIO 111/112 sequences in the freshmen year, and then begin CHE 111 in the sophomore year.

There are many possible routes through the Biochemistry major; please consult with the department chair for special circumstances:

Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Freshman

CHE 111

MAT 111

CHE 211

MAT 112

BIO 111

MAT 111

BIO 112

MAT 112

Sophomore

CHE 221

PHY 111

BIO 111

CHE 321

PHY 112

BIO 112

BIO 211

CHE 111

PHY 111

BIO 212

CHE 211

PHY 112

Junior

CHE 351

BIO 211

CHE 361

BIO 212

CHE 221

CHE 351 or BIO choice

CHE 321

CHE 361

Senior

CHE 461/462

CHE or BIO choice

CHE choice or BIO choice

CHE 461/462

CHE 351 or CHE or BIO choice

CHE or BIO choice

OR

Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Freshman

CHE 111

BIO 111

MAT 111

CHE 211

BIO 112

MAT 112

CHE 111

BIO 111

MAT 111

CHE 211

BIO 112

MAT 112

Sophomore

CHE 221

BIO 211

PHY 111

CHE 321

BIO 212

PHY 112

CHE 221

BIO 211

CHE 321

BIO 212

Junior

CHE 351

BIO choice

CHE 361

CHE or BIO choice

BIO choice or CHE 351

PHY 111

CHE 361

PHY 112

Senior

CHE 461/462

CHE or BIO choice

CHE or BIO choice

CHE 461/462

CHE 351 or BIO choice or CHE choice

CHE and/or BIO choice

Chemistry and Biochemistry majors who wish to transfer chemistry credits from another institution as part of their major must have the prior approval of the Department Chair to do so.

The written comprehensive examination for senior majors emphasizes both knowledge of basic chemical concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to new problems. The exam includes written questions over material from courses, a laboratory practical, a literature component, and an experimental design essay.

Requirement for the Chemistry Minor: The following courses are required for the chemistry minor-CHE 111, 211, and 221. The student may select any other 2-course credits from the departmental offerings (except CHE 101 and 102) to complete the minor, provided the prerequisites for the courses are met. No more than one-half course credit of independent study (CHE 487, 488) may be used to construct the minimum five-course minor.

Chemistry minors who wish to transfer chemistry credits from another institution as part of their minor must have the prior approval of the Department Chair to do so.

Requirements for Premeds: Premedical students are required to take five courses in chemistry before the end of their junior year (when the MCAT examination is generally taken). Wabash pre-med students should take the following courses to meet the premed chemistry requirement‚ CHE 111, 211, 221, 321, and 361.

Advanced Placement: Please refer to the College Advanced Placement guidelines under Credit by Examination. Potential chemistry majors and minors who wish to claim advanced placement credit should discuss placement options with the Department Chair. If the Chair and the student decide that it is in the student’s best interest to take CHE 111, the advanced placement chemistry credit must be forfeited.

ACS Certified Degree: To meet the certification requirements formulated by the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (CPT) as a chemist and for adequate preparation for graduate school, additional classroom and laboratory work beyond the minimum nine-course major is required. The student should consult with the Chair of the Chemistry Department concerning ways in which the remaining requirements may be fulfilled.

An Area of Concentration in Education and Middle and High School Teaching licensure (grades 5-12) with this major is administered through the Teacher Education Program. For Education AOC and teaching licensure information, please see the Teacher Education section of the Bulletin. Students are asked to consult with their academic advisor AND the Director of Teacher Education to learn more about course and licensure requirements.